Used universally in almost every manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics industry and workplace, pallets are a staple of the industry. They are used as the literal "foundation" of what is referred to as a "unit load".There are many different types of pallets in use across the world; however this article will focus mainly on pallets in Australia.

Steps

1

Recognize CHEP pallets. One of the most commonly used and recognized pallet types in Australia, CHEP pallets virtually set the standard of pallet sizes in Australia, being considered very durable and affordable for companies to rent hundreds of pallets, although their disadvantage is their weight, the pallet alone weighing over 40kg. It is for this reason manual handling of CHEP pallets is generally discouraged due to reasons of muscle strain/back injury; forklifts, pallet jacks, or other mechanical assistance should be used to move them. CHEP pallets are easily identified by their blue colour and bearing of the "CHEP" logo.

2

Know that Loscam pallets are red. Virtually identical to CHEP pallets in popularity, size, shape, weight, and other physical properties. However they are except they are red in colour. Loscam pallets are also easily identified by their red color and bearing the "LOSCAM" logo.

3

Identify the Australian-sized "Standard Pallet". Also known as a "plain pallet", these pallets are generally privately made from region to region and all differ in construction, from size, to strength, etc, however it is worth noting in General, these pallets are much lighter, and much less durable than CHEP or Loscam pallets. These pallets are often identified solely by their size and shape, additionally ensuring they are not export pallets. These pallets are usually unpainted or given just a oil coat to protect from the elements if stored outdoors.

4

Look for the IPPC stamp on export pallets. A classification that generally only applies to wooden pallets (due to possible contamination), these pallets have been either heat or chemically treated in order to ensure export travel free of any possible environmental contaminants (virus, fungus, insects, etc.). These pallets are identified by the IPPC stamp, located on one or both sides of the pallet.

5

Know what a skid is. This is often incorrectly referred to a pallet, a skid is identified usually by its relatively small size, and also absence of bottom deckboards, most skids are also generally weaker, and also due to the absence of bottom deckboards, can be extremely unstable when lifted by forklifts.

6

Look out for the main other types. Many other different types of pallets exist, for the purpose of the article the rest can be summarised into groups of:

4-way pallet – A pallet that can be moved by all 4 sides instead of the standard 2-way pallets

Plastic pallet – Usually comes as a 4-way pallet, generally used in chemical industry for storage of raw materials, though overall generally not usually used for any racking or despatch applications

Cardboard pallet or skid – Uncommon in most large manufacturing plants or warehouses, although sometimes used to move small amounts of stock around the floor space using pallet jacks, surprisingly strong as holding distributed loads, but easily crushed with concentrated force (e.g. a person standing on it)

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Tips

When using standard, export, 4 way, or any other pallet other than a Chep or Loscam, ensure it is correctly sized if you are going to store the pallet on warehouse racking, the bottom deck boards on chep and loscam pallets are designed to "lock in" to the racking, if an incorrectly sized pallet is used, failure of the pallet to "lock in" to the racking could result on the pallet slipping or catastrophically falling off the racks and likely damaging the product/good/etc stored on the pallet.

Always ensure pallets are in reasonably good condition (i.e. no missing boards, no broken boards, not too dirty, etc..) especially when sending the product out for dispatch (different companies will have different standards on pallet conditions and cleanliness).

If sending wooden pallets for export shipping, they must be stamped with the IPPC stamp and specifications. If not, the entire pallet/pallets may be returned back to the company (at a considerable cost) to be changed for export pallets.

Warnings

Always ensure pallets are able to "lock in" to warehouse racking to avoid slipping and falling of loads.

If this is not possible, ideally place on floor level of racking structure, or place a "rackable" pallet underneath the pallet to be stored, preferably less than "3 high".

Ensure all pallets are reasonably clean and in good condition before using or sending out for dispatch.

Pallets to be used for export shipping must bear the IPPC stamp and specifications

Never stand on the deckboards of an empty "standard pallet" - these pallets are much less durable than Chep or Loscam Pallets, so standing or walking over the deckboard of an empty standard pallet is likely to crack or break the deckboards of the pallet, rendering it unusable.